35-Year-Old Atlantic City Woman Faces 5 Years In Prison After Being Convicted For Beating & Starving Her Dog
Friday, July 19, 2024, 7:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
MAYS LANDING, NJ.- On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, a jury sitting in Atlantic County, New Jersey, found Monique Tolbert, 35, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, guilty of third-degree Animal Cruelty.
According to Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds, on July 12, 2023, Tolbert called the Atlantic City Police Department to surrender her dog. Upon arrival, Police Officers found the dog wandering the hallway of the apartment building where Tolbert lived.
While in the hallway, Police Officers found the dog to be emaciated and extremely dehydrated. The dog named Handsome had no collar on, but Police Officers learned that the dog belonged to Tolbert, who lived on the same floor as Tolbert.
Responding Police Officers took custody of the dog and immediately transported Handsome to the Humane Society of Atlantic County for medical treatment. Handsome was found to be severely malnourished, weighing less than half of the normal healthy weight of a dog of his breed.
Further medical examination of Handsome uncovered that he was extremely dehydrated and was found to be suffering from urine scalding. Additionally, Handsome had multiple pressure point sores on different areas of his body.
Sentencing in the matter has been scheduled for September 2024, at which time Tolbert faces a potential New Jersey State Prison Term of up to 5 years of incarceration.
